5 Early Spring Lawn Care Tips for Lush Green Grass

March 13, 2013

While many of us are still braving freezing temperatures and daily snowfall, spring will be here in no time. But before your lawn can transition from its dormant winter state to thick and lively summer grass, the proper spring preparations must be made. The following are 5 early spring lawn care tips to consider when preparing for the season.

1) Check the pH level of your soil: Who knew maintaining a healthy green lawn involved certain elements of chemistry? Depending on your geographical location and your lawn’s soil, you’ll need to determine which conditions are best for creating the most hospitable growing environment. Call a lawn care service or learn how to test your soil’s pH levels.

2) Check your thatch level: Underneath the green vegetation of every lawn resides a layer of decomposed plant material called thatch. A small layer of thatch is sometimes helpful, but too much can harbor disease and insects that can harm the overall health of your lawn. If your lawn needs to be de-thatched, we recommend an aerator so that the soil has better access to oxygen and water.

3) Make sure you have a healthy serving of fertilizer: Once the aerator has opened up the path for oxygen, water, and nutrients to reach the soil, it’s time to feed the lawn with fertilizer. Fertilization is a vital part of spring lawn care as it replenishes the reserves used by the soil during the winter. Fertilizer should be chosen based on the pH levels and natural conditions of your soil and then applied with a John Deere spreader.

4) Take just a little off the top: Before you fire up your John Deere mower for the first cut of the season, make sure the grass is dry to the touch and at least 3-4 inches in height. Once the mower blades are sharp and spinning, don’t be tempted to cut any more than 1/3 inch of the grass length. This is an important early spring lawn care tip as it can help you get off on the right foot.

5) Up-cycle those grass clippings: Once the lawn has been freshly cut, don’t throw away those grass clippings: Participate in grass-cycling! Grass clippings that are left on the lawn break down in less than two weeks and act as a fertilizer or manure supplement. This process is referred to as “grass-cycling” because it cuts down on the amount of yard waste filling up landfill and is beneficial to your lawn.

If this post got you day dreaming about your plush green lawn, take heart: Spring is right around the corner! When the time comes, take these steps in spring lawn care and you’re sure to have a lawn that’s the envy of the neighborhood.

If you enjoyed this post, check out more like it on our Facebook page!